Of swarms that lose their Queen, 238 A suggestion and an answer, 239 A disputed question, 240 A multitude of Drones needed, 241 The Queen liable to be lost in her excursions, 243 The time when it occurs, 243 Indications of the loss, 244 The Result, 245 Age of Bees indicated, 246 Necessity of care, 246 Remedy, 247 Mark the date of swarms on the Hive, 248 Obtaining a Queen from worker brood, 249 They are poor dependence, 249 CHAPTER XV. ARTIFICIAL SWARMS. Principles should be understood, 252 Some Experiments, 253 The result unsatisfactory, 253 Further Experiments, 254 A successful method, 256 Advantages of this method, 257 Artificial swarms only safe near the swarming season, 259 Sometimes hazardous, 259 Some Objections, 259 Natural and artificial swarms equally prosperous, 260 This matter too often delayed, 261 Is the age of the Queen important? 261 CHAPTER XVI. PRUNING. Different opinions as to time, 262 Another time preferred, 263 Should not be delayed, 263 Objection to Pruning, 264 Stocks pruned now are better for winter, 265 CHAPTER XVII. DISEASED BROOD.